Losses don’t sit well with the No. 1 overall pick, especially when he can’t do anything about the ending of them as was the case in the Suns' gut-wrenching 149-146 defeat at the hands of the Wizards in triple overtime.

“I was hurting after that one,” Ayton said. “Those type of games, there’s a lot of, ‘I wish I would’ve, I wish I could’ve.' Stuff like that. Those the ones that get you. I didn’t even sleep.”

Deandre Ayton shoots over Wizard center Thomas Bryant during the first half of a game Dec. 22 at Capital One Arena.(Photo: Nick Wass, AP)

Ayton could have rested on his career-high 26 points and 17 rebounds, but he missed a free throw that would have put Phoenix up three with four seconds remaining in regulation Saturday night.

Jeff Green forced overtime by hitting with 3.4 seconds left after drawing a foul on TJ Warren.

Ayton later picked up his fifth and sixth foul six seconds into the second overtime and had to watch the Suns (8-26) come up short.

So he was restless and eager to play the next night at Brooklyn.

Less than 12 hours later, Ayton fought off fatigue to match his career high in points and rebounds with 18.

'The next'

Suns center rises up toward the basket in front of Nets center Jarrett Allen during the first quarter of a game Sunday at Barclays Center.(Photo: Nicole Sweet, Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports)

Through 34 games, Ayton has had highs and lows. That’s to be expected for a rookie, but Ayton had a stunning realization about the NBA while looking out the window during Sunday’s breakfast before playing the Nets.

“I’m thinking out loud and I was talking to the coaches and I was like, ‘Yo, we got to do this again?,’” said the one-and-done All-American out of Arizona with a smile.

“In college, when you have a tough game like that, they worried about how your body feels. In the NBA, you have the next one in about 13 hours buddy," Ayton said. "I was like, OK, this is a job. You have to do what you have to do to keep your job. I finally got that instilled in my head that yo, no matter the numbers or whatever game it was, you have to do it the next game. Consistency.”

Ayton has been doing his job very well lately, averaging 22.8 points on 67.1 percent shooting and 15.6 rebounds as he's clocked five consecutive double-doubles to give him 21 on the season.

“You’re seeing him put games together,” Suns veteran Jamal Crawford said. “Not just games, but quarters together. He’s doing it every single night. That’s a sign of going from good to great.”

Their relationship has been well documented. Kokoskov coached Doncic on the Slovenian national team that won the 2017 EuroBasket title.

Then there was that whole thing where Phoenix needed a point guard and it only seemed natural to draft Doncic to play in Kokoskov’s system.

When the Suns took Ayton instead, it raised eyebrows to some because of the Kokoskov-Doncic relationship. Kokoskov has showered Doncic with praise in answering questions about him this season, and, in turn, fueled speculation he has more love for him than his own prized rookie.

Kokoskov wanted to put that idea to rest — and let it be known Ayton is his guy.

“He keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll have all my support in the media and on the court,” Kokoskov said. “He’s got a chance to be Rookie of the Year with the way he’s playing with the energy and presence on the court.”

Ayton said he’s not worried about winning ROY. He reiterated it's more important to turn Phoenix into a winner again.

If Ayton continues to play at a high level, the Suns will turn the corner.

“When you can do that every single night and your team relies on that, that’s when you become one of the great players,” Crawford said.

Expectations

Kokoskov set high standards for Ayton before he even played his first NBA game.

During training camp, he said Ayton should become a defensive stalwart like Rudy Gobert, the 2017-18 Defensive Player of the Year, who Kokoskov helped coach at Utah as an assistant.

Deandre Ayton is averaging 16.6 points with 10.9 rebounds per game for the Suns.(Photo: Soobum Im, Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)

Kokoskov called Ayton the face of the franchise despite Booker signing a five-year, $158-million contract extension in the offseason. Still, Kokoskov continues to refer to him with that title.

Ayton has talked about embracing those standards, but he’s been hit or miss in terms of playing up to them on a consistent basis, particularly on defense and specifically on pick-and-roll coverages.

He hasn’t been as aggressive overall offensively as Kokoskov and the Suns want and need him to be, but Ayton is still averaging a double-double per game of 16.6 points on 59.9 percent shooting with 10.9 boards.

Recently, he’s been even better.

“I just want to win,” Ayton said. “Once I’m in between the lines, I have no excuse. I tell my team that all the time. When I’m between the lines in practice, shootaround or whatever, business.”

Kokoskov challenged Ayton going into Wednesday’s game at Boston. The Suns had lost to the Celtics in overtime in Phoenix and were looking to avenge that defeat at TD Garden.

Ayton assured Kokoskov he’d deliver — and did with 23 points and 18 boards, with eight coming on the offensive glass in Phoenix’s 111-103 road win.

“He kept his promise,” Kokoskov said.

A big moment in that game came in the fourth quarter when the much shorter Kyrie Irving stripped the ball away from Ayton inside.

Terry Rozier followed that up with consecutive 3s to pull Boston within seven.

Kokoskov called a timeout, drew up a play for Ayton and the rookie scored on short jump hook with 5:37 left to answer the Celtics.

While Phoenix fans love to see Ayton do damage on post-ups, what the Suns and Ayton are realizing is he can score in a variety of ways. Ayton can knock down the 15-foot jumper, and in time will extend his range beyond the NBA 3-point line.

Celtics guard Kyrie Irving drives to the basket against Suns rookie Deandre Ayton during the second half of a game Dec. 19 at TD Garden.(Photo: Winslow Townson / USA TODAY Sports)

He has the speed to outrun opposing bigs and score in transition, but Ayton has begun to really impose his will on the offensive glass and score on putbacks.

Against the Wizards, Ayton looked like a man among boys as he grabbed a career-high nine offensive rebounds while putting several back in with authoritative dunks.

“I have to,” Ayton said. “I didn’t realize how important it is. Getting a second-chance shot means so much."

"This league, they’re like this," said Ayton as he rapidly waved his hands back and forth, "and when you can finally slow down and get another second shot, it’s amazing.”

'Learning process'

Ayton is still a work in progress defensively, though.

He's averaging less than a block a game and Ayton tends to stand flat-footed in the paint and allow shorter players to score over him like the 6-foot-9 Rodions Kurucs did Sunday with a short jump hook.

He looked awful in defending the pick-and-roll combination of Bradley Beal and Thomas Bryant, who finished with 31 on a perfect 14-of-14 shooting mostly on dives to the rim and dunks.

It wasn’t all on Ayton, but being a 7-footer puts a glaring spotlight on his defensive deficiencies.

“It’s a learning process for him,” Kokoskov said. “A lot of new things for him.”

For instance, the defensive three-second rule is something he didn’t have to worry about as a collegian.

“I’m still trying to figure out when to touch a guy because sometimes, they try to trick me and I waste my three seconds,” said Ayton, who drew a technical foul Sunday for the violation. “I have to reset and my man is all the way, I don’t know where he’s at.”

However, Ayton guarded Beal on switches late in the game, bottled him up and even forced a turnover on the All-Star guard.

There’s clearly room for him to grow on that end, but Ayton’s has the tools to become a stout defender.

“He’s our defensive coordinator,” Kokoskov said. “He’s OK, but I told him, next year he should be in the conversation for defensive player of the year. That’s his goal.”

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks with Kenrich Williams (34) in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Rick Scuteri, AP

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after rolling his left ankle while landing on the foot of Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) lays on the court after rolling his left ankle against the Utah Jazz in the first half on Apr. 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Devin Booker helped off the court to the locker room. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) passes the ball against the defense of Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Richaun Holmes (21) catches an alleyoop and makes a layup and draws a foul against Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Richaun Holmes (21) celebrates after an alleyoop and makes a layup and draws a foul against Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Richaun Holmes (21) celebrates after an alleyoop and makes a layup and draws a foul against Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) hits a three and draws a foul on Cavaliers' Collin Sexton (2) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Josh Jackson (20) reacts after making a dunk and then blocking Cavaliers' Brandon Knight on the next possession during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) laughs as he jogs up the court after hitting a three pointer against the Cavaliers during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) laughs as he jogs up the court after hitting a three pointer against the Cavaliers during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) high-fives Richaun Holmes (21) after he found him for a dunk during the second half against the Cavaliers at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on April 1, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Memphis Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks to NBA official Scott Twardoski in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Rick Scuteri, AP

Phoenix Suns forward Richaun Holmes (21) leaves the court after being ejected during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, March 25, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Rick Bowmer/AP

The Phoenix Suns bench reaches for guard Devin Booker (1) as he leaves during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 25, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Rick Bowmer/AP

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) reacts after being called for an offensive foul against the Suns' Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half of a game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Mikal Bridges (25) and De'Anthony Melton (14) grab Devin Booker (1) after Booker was called for a technical foul during the second half of a game against the Pistons at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) argues with an official after being called for a technical foul during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Phoenix. Matt York, AP

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) shoots a technical free throw during the first half against the Pistons at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) dribbles into the defense of Pistons' Then Maker (7) during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Devin Booker (1) dribbles into the lane against the Pistons' Bruce Brown (6) during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) draws a foul and a basket against the Piston's Blake Griffin (23) during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) dribbles the ball up the court against the Pistons during the first half at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 21, 2019. Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Kelly Oubre Jr. jumps up from the bench celebrating a basket against the Bulls during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 18, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' head coach Igor Kokoskov walks away from the bench after a timeout during the second half against the Bulls at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 18, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Suns' Jamal Crawford (11) pushes Josh Jackson away from an official after being called for a technical during the second half against the Bulls at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 18, 2019. Patrick Breen/The Republic